Schedule hampers Bengal practice

A STAFF REPORTER

Calcutta: Only three players and the coach were present at Thursday’s training session, as Bengal get on with their preparations for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Manoj Tiwary and pacer Ashok Dinda, along with coach Ashok Malhotra, were the only ones who could attend the session as rest of the players were busy with their respective CAB league matches.

No wonder the Bengal camp is extremely annoyed with the league schedule. “If people don’t understand the priorities, what can we say?

“Kalighat Club has Bengal players in Sudip, Sreevats and Sayan. Yet, they lost to Paikpara SC today. They couldn’t win despite the presence of these cricketers. So, why couldn’t they be released for the camp then?” asked a team insider.

“All of us know that a practice cannot be held properly with just three or four players. But as a player, I wouldn’t like to say much because it’s for the team management and selectors to talk to the authorities and sort out the matter.

“As far as I’m concerned, I just want to concentrate on working on my batting, bowling and fielding,” said comeback man Manoj Tiwary.

Bengal chairman of selectors Deep Dasgupta, however, assured that the matter has been discussed with the CAB top brass and a solution is being worked out.